I think that was a very unfair comment. I have always admired your fact-filled, no-nonsense interventions, and it is saddening to see your reply, that trivialises the issue, misleads the unwary, and makes insinuations about the motives of the actor that are very small-hearted.
First, the person, whom we have attacked. Please look at his record. He is one of the highest tax-payers; he has always, on every single issue where we find him commenting, done so from a point of view of the highest ethical standards. I don't think he needs to explain any point of his social consciousness, and I do think that he deserves praise, from every single south Asian.
Second, his approach. Where has he attacked the army, and where has he criticised the peaceful space programme? If you knew, from the point of view of an insider, the amount of waste incurred in armies in India and in Pakistan, you would readily agree with his concealed argument, that the budget for defence could easily afford the minuscule sum involved to improve the health and dignity of the women of these countries.
Third, the reactions. How long would it have taken to address the issue if male safety and hygiene had been involved? Why is it that simply because men can relieve themselves anywhere and everywhere with impunity (in India, at least; I have no idea about the situation in Pakistan), there are no rest-rooms or clean and hygienic toilets for men OR women, women being unfortunate enough not to enjoy the social liberties about personal space and dignity in these aspects that men enjoy?
You of all people, Sir? I would have understood if lowly scum like
@noksss had made the post that you did. Coming from you, it is deeply saddening.
As for Pakistani members who commented, it is sad that they lack the values that would have allowed them to focus on this social outrage and its solutions, and it is sad that they chose to make this an opportunity for mocking and for sneers. It trivialises them, to the point where it is tempting to think that they were not capable of any but a trivial answer in the first place.